Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 6th May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly mentions that the OIC was founded following the arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Statement-II is also correct as the OIC indeed collaborates with various UN agencies to address issues relevant to its member states and the global Muslim community. Statement-II explains the significance and activities of the OIC, thus making both statements correct and related.

The estimated cost range of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is from ₹80,000 crore to ₹1.2 lakh crore. This project, inaugurated in June 2019, is a significant endeavor aimed at irrigating vast acres of land, providing drinking water to Hyderabad, and supporting industrial usage. The cost estimation reflects the scale and complexity of this ambitious irrigation project in Telangana.

- Statement 1 is correct. The deployment of INS Sharda to the Maldives for the HADR Exercise indeed reflects India's "Neighbourhood First" policy, which emphasizes strengthening strategic and cultural ties with neighboring countries, including the Maldives.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The MAHASAGAR vision primarily focuses on mutual security and growth across regions, particularly in maritime security, rather than specifically enhancing regional economic integration in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

- Statement 3 is correct. The objectives of the HADR Exercise include conducting Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and providing medical assistance, as part of the broader agenda to enhance disaster response capabilities and regional cooperation.

Based on the analysis, only statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

The primary objective of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, which involves INS Sharda in the Maldives, includes providing medical assistance and conducting training sessions for capacity building. This aspect of the exercise aims to enhance disaster response coordination and preparedness, ensuring effective support in times of crises.

- Statement 1: Incorrect. Microplastics are defined as particles ranging from 1 to 100 micrometres, not 100 to 5,000 micrometres. The latter size range pertains to larger plastic fragments. Additionally, microplastics are predominantly found in subsurface layers and not at the surface, contrary to larger fragments.

- Statement 2: Correct. Atmospheric deposition of microplastics is a major source of these particles entering the ocean and disrupting the carbon cycle. Polyester is indeed noted as the most common airborne microplastic, significantly impacting the carbon cycle by adding plastic-derived carbon to marine systems.

- Statement 3: Correct. The infiltration of microplastics into marine environments does alter natural carbon ratios. Specifically, plastic-derived carbon lacks radiocarbon, which can skew the apparent age of particulate organic carbon (POC) samples, making them appear approximately 420 years older than they are.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only, as only statements 2 and 3 accurately describe the situation outlined in the study about microplastics in ocean ecosystems.

Statement-I correctly highlights that Spain is indeed surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Biscay, and the Atlantic Ocean, which are major bodies of water bordering the country. Statement-II is also accurate in mentioning that the Pyrenees Mountains serve as a natural boundary separating Spain from France. The Pyrenees act as a physical barrier between the two countries, influencing not only their geographical separation but also impacting weather patterns and cultural interactions. Therefore, both statements are factually correct, with Statement-II providing an additional explanatory detail regarding Spain's geographical features.

Statement-I correctly explains that microplastics dominate the ocean's water column, particularly in subsurface layers, and have been detected at depths of up to 100 meters within ocean gyres. This is supported by the information provided in the passage.

Statement-II is also accurate in stating that microplastics introduce measurable carbon mass into marine systems, altering natural carbon ratios in ocean layers. However, Statement-II does not directly explain Statement-I. While both statements are individually correct and align with the information presented, they do not have a cause-and-effect relationship, hence option (b) is the accurate choice.

1. Microplastic Size Range - 1 to 100 micrometres: This pair is correctly matched. Microplastics are defined as plastic particles that range from 1 to 100 micrometres in size, largely found in ocean water columns, particularly subsurface layers.

2. Ocean Gyres - Areas where debris is trapped and accumulated: This pair is correctly matched. Ocean gyres are large systems of circulating ocean currents, often associated with the accumulation of marine debris, including microplastics.

3. Allochthonous Carbon - Carbon originating from within the ecosystem: This pair is incorrectly matched. Allochthonous carbon refers to carbon that originates from outside the ecosystem, not within. In the context of oceans, plastics, which are land-based human products, serve as a source of allochthonous carbon.

4. Atmospheric Deposition of Microplastics - 0.013 to 25 million tonnes annually: This pair is correctly matched. Atmospheric deposition of microplastics is estimated to contribute between 0.013 and 25 million tonnes annually, with polyester being the most common airborne microplastic.

Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Therefore, two pairs are correctly matched.

1. Medigadda Barrage - Part of KLIP: Correctly matched. The Medigadda Barrage is indeed a crucial component of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. It has been reported to face structural issues as per recent news.

2. Ramadugu - Location of Asia’s largest pump house: Correctly matched. The project includes Asia's largest pump house located at Ramadugu, which is part of the infrastructure for KLIP.

3. Godavari River - Source in Andhra Pradesh: Incorrectly matched. The Godavari River originates from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra, not Andhra Pradesh. This is a significant geographic fact about the river.

4. SVAMITVA Scheme - Launched by the Ministry of Rural Development: Incorrectly matched. The SVAMITVA Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, not the Ministry of Rural Development.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

Microplastics disrupt the ocean's carbon cycle by impacting the marine carbon pump and altering carbon ratios in ocean layers. This leads to a distortion in natural carbon ratios within ocean layers, influencing the flow and composition of particulate organic carbon (POC). The presence of microplastics also affects microbial activity, nutrient cycling processes, and the decomposition of organic matter, highlighting the significant threats posed by microplastics to marine biodiversity and carbon cycling.